2026 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Improving AI Literacy in Graduate Research Training: Integrating Prompt Engineering into Research Methods Courses

Presented at CONST 1 - AI Foundations in Construction Education: Literacy, Practice, and Access

With the rise of generative artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, such as large language models (LLMs), scholarly research practices are undergoing transformation. Effective use of these tools requires proficiency in prompt engineering, the practice of designing and refining prompts to interact with, build upon, and leverage the capabilities of LLMs. Despite its growing importance, prompt engineering is not yet adequately incorporated into most graduate-level research methods curricula. The present study highlights the need for its integration as a critical AI literacy component alongside traditional research skills in research design, data collection, analysis, and interpretation. The study explores the integration of a structured prompt engineering instructional module into a graduate research method course in civil and construction programs. Using a one-group pretest-posttest pilot design, both qualitative and quantitative data were collected to examine changes in students’ perceived AI literacy, ethical awareness, and objective knowledge of prompt engineering concepts. The findings suggest that such instruction can improve students’ perceived skills and confidence in applying LLMs to research tasks. This study provides preliminary evidence to support the inclusion of prompt engineering in graduate research training and offers practical implications for curriculum development in engineering education.

Authors

Dr. Ziyu Jin http://orcid.org/https://0000-0002-7680-617X Colorado State University [biography]

Ziyu is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Construction Management at Colorado State University. Her research focuses on construction safety and health, digital technologies, and workforce development.
Elvis Adjei http://orcid.org/https://0009-0009-1153-9160 Colorado State University [biography]

Elvis is a Ph.D. student in Systems Engineering at Colorado State University. His research focuses on the application of emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence and BIM in construction safety and health.
Dr. Vineeth Dharmapalan University of Hawaii at Manoa [biography]

Dr. Dharmapalan is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil, Environmental and Construction Engineering at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. His research interests include project production systems, information management, construction safety and health, construction automation, resilience and risk management, and workforce development.
Dr. S M Jamil Uddin http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6829-1487 Colorado State University [biography]

S M Jamil is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Construction Management at Colorado State University. His research is centered on advancing construction safety practices through innovative approaches such as leveraging artificial intelligence, social media data, and educational technologies.
Dr. Lisa L. Losada-Rojas http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7221-4900 University of New Mexico [biography]

Lisa is an Assistant Professor in the Gerald May Department of Civil, Construction & Environmental Engineering. Her research aims to advance communities’ public health through transportation solutions. Other research interests include transportation planning, accessibility, human factors, rural transportation, and sustainability.

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